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The Venue: StoneWalls and the Residents at the GrandView
Teresa from Channel 7 Eyewitness News:
Teresa: Ms. Roberts, we hear there's a new venue available here at the GrandView. This is quite the party, can you tell us about this wonderful space?
Lara: I'm so glad you asked, Teresa. Originally, behind the GrandView was an old stone parking garage. Above was this abandoned stonewalled area that originally held a pool and gardens in the 1920's. After a major remodel---the space has been utilized as an outdoor party venue and garden spot.
Though not completely finished, our interior designer, Richelle, tested out the space for her wedding last Saturday. Here are a few photos.
Teresa: Oh, my what a gorgeous space, no one builds them like this anymore. What is this lovely space named?
Lara: StoneWalls at GrandView, or StoneWalls for short.
Teresa: How can this space be utilized? This 'altar' was unique with the stone stage. I see tonight the stage is being used for something else, music.
Lara: We had music and dancing for the wedding, too.
Teresa: I see you have a bar and a food table.
Lara: We have everything. This is Patrick Carney, who is completing the GrandView lower basement level to a bar/entertainment venue and holds the liquor license for this property.
Teresa: Patrick, can you tell us a bit about the party services offered here at StoneWalls?
Patrick: We can provide this space for small gatherings, business meetings, community events for a rental fee, and of course free use for the tenants of the GrandView, like tonight. This is a Post Covid Resident Meet and Greet.
Teresa: This is a great addition to the neighborhood. Will there be any noise restrictions for your neighbors?
Lara: Yes, of course. Meetings and small social gatherings during the day without alcohol will be lights out at 9 pm during the week. Like tonight, this is a Meet and Greet of our residents of the Grandview and the music will be done by 9 pm.
Weekend rentals will be by HOA board vote, allowing special occasion events at their discretion with lights out at 12 pm.
Teresa: That sounds fair and reasonable. What is your maximum capacity?
Lara: The space can hold fifty, including staff. The physical space is multi-purpose. In order to make the venue very versatile, everything is moveable.
This was a challenge, and Trish specializes in easy care plantings and does a wonderful job throughout the GrandView and our other properties. Here's a photo of how we set up for a recent wedding event.
Lara: Private events can bring in props and use their own ideas to make the space their own.
Teresa: The lights seem to be just enough to use after dark. I see the pond here, we didn't see in the wedding photos.
Lara: Yes, even the pond is re-moveable. We will utilize it for ambiance for smaller gatherings and part of the everyday decor. We have storage space built behind these middle walls, they just slide to the side, so we can alter the space for almost any gathering.
Teresa: I see you have a full bar here at this end.
Patrick: Not tonight, Teresa. This is a resident get-together and strictly soft drinks and juices.
Lara: The beverage area is also flexible and on wheels. Eventually Patrick's kitchen in the bar/restaurant will be able to cater all the food. Our own Sindy's Patisserie will provide bakery for this venue.
Well, you have a party in full swing, right now.
Teresa: Thanks so much, Ms. Roberts. You need to get back to your residents.
From 'In Your Neighborhood,' and I am Teresa at Channel 7 Eyewitness News, Chicago. You heard it here first, StoneWalls at the GrandView. A great venue for small gatherings and parties right here in YOUR neighborhood.
Ian: That's a wrap. I'll get this back to the studio for editing for tonight's news.
Meanwhile the Residents' Party is in full swing.
After eighteen months of wearing masks, everyone in this building who are vaccinated are sans masks tonight. The conversations are lively.
(Left to Right, Shelley 5D, Babs 4D, Tai 3D, and Deedee 3D)
Pinkie: Hi, Lucas. I haven't seen you in the park lately.
Lucas: Great to see, you! I've been doing lots of night gigs now. We just did a wedding here last weekend. So, what do you want to hear?
Pinkie: Ummmmm. You, asking me out...er...for...coffee, or lunch...since you are so busy?
Lucas: It's a deal, how about tomorrow! I'm sure glad I'm playing for you tonight.
"Pretty woman, walking down the street. Pretty woman..."
Allan White 4A(L) meets up with an old college buddy, Dr. Jamal 4C.
Allan: Thanks for the tip on this place, Jamal. I love my new condo.
Dr. Jamal: Just like the old days, we are right across the hall from each other.
New comer, Sheldon 2C in the middle, shares in their conversation.
Vanessa: Hello, Ladies. I'm interning with Lara the Manager of this building for the summer. Did you have any questions about StoneWalls?
Can we sunbathe in here during the day?
Vanessa: The doors are always open with your key card to use at your leisure unless, there is a private event.
Deedee: Great get together, we hardly see anyone except passing through the lobby.
Isabel 5B: I love the pond, I'm planning on doing my yoga in here, weather permitting.
Pinkie 5D and Tai 3D
Pinkie: I love yoga, really early in the morning.
Tai: Me, too. How about 6am tomorrow.
Pinkie: I'm in.
Isabel: Me, too!
Meanwhile Ms. Roberts (BMR) converses with Mr. Pittman-contractor and Sindy about the last of the Patiserrie kitchen issues. The ventilation system is being upgraded.
BMR: Thank you Mr. Pittman for all your hard work. I love how you rehabbed this space, what a great idea to utilize sliding walls. And, still keep it original to the building.
Mr. Pittman: Please call me, Russell. Lara has been great to work with. I'm looking forward to your next project.
BMR: I believe we have a townhouse 3-plex next. Much smaller than this, but it needs some extensive rehab. Ryan has been working on the zoning issues for us. It was miserably chopped up into apartments. When he gets back from his honeymoon, we should be ready to start. Richelle will be working with you again on the design issues. They had a lovely wedding.
Henri 3A: Colette, has Emilie told you of our news?
Ella 2A: And, what would that be?
Emilie: I am going to 'move my butte', as you so often command, MEeez Ella, into 3A with Henri. And zen, you can vait on Mees Colette.
Ella: Hmmmph! It's about time,....you go for it girl! Callie will just have to learn to manage her own affairs. 'Bout time too, she's going to be thirty-.somepun.
Callie(Colette) 2A: That's enough, Mama.
Gerard: I can move in with you, now!
Ella: Over my dead 'butte', Gerry. Are ya tired of floppin' in your recording studio?
Carmel 5C: Oh my, that's some fireworks, just waiting to happen over there!
Amy and Max 2D can't help but hear the squabbling next to them.
Max: Holy-moly, what's that about.
Amy: Never mind them. This is our song. Let's dance.
Isabel 3C: Fireworks, is just the half of that group.
Jamal 4C: Who are they? I'm never around that much?
Isabel: Callie Colette is a singer, the boyfriend is some kind of music producer. Mama Ella is an old-school Blues singer from St. Louis or Joliet, not sure. French Emilie was an assistant to Colette. Henri lives just across the hall from me in 3A. He's a sweetie, a real gentleman. Guess that's GrandView's "As the World Turns".
Jamal: Oh, my mama watched that when I was a kid....I get it now.
Henri: Ah...we didn't mean to cause trouble.
Emilie: Zee music is very fine. I'll begeen moving tomorrow. We will settle zee ownership issues through my solicitor.
(to be continued)
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